ESPN picks up SDSU's MWC opener vs. Nevada

Quarterback Ryan Katz’s career may be over at SDSU after he suffered a broken leg last month against Nevada, but he hopes to be ready to show NFL scouts that he deserves an opportunity. Earnie Grafton • U-T

Quarterback Ryan Katz’s career may be over at SDSU after he suffered a broken leg last month against Nevada, but he hopes to be ready to show NFL scouts that he deserves an opportunity. Earnie Grafton • U-T

San Diego State’s home Mountain West opener has been picked up for broadcast by ESPN.

The Aztecs announced Tuesday that their Oct. 4 game against Nevada will be broadcast on national television.

Kickoff for the Friday night contest is scheduled for 6 p.m., and it marks the first time in 14 years that a regular season SDSU home game will be on featured ESPN.

The last time the Aztecs played on ESPN in 2004, when they lost to Michigan on the road, 24-21. But this will be their first home game on the network since they beat Wyoming 35-7 on Nov. 27, 1999.

SDSU has played three straight bowl games on ESPN, but there are definitely perks that come with getting a regular season game on national television.

It helps a program gain national exposure, which will in turn help with recruiting.

But this game also comes with a monetary bonus.

Under the Mountain West’s new National Exposure Bonus System, teams get $300,000 for every game they play on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox. That amount increases to $500,000 if said games are played on Saturday.

So the Aztecs will pocket $300,000 for their ESPN appearance.

It appears that the Mountain West is already benefiting from its new agreement with ESPN.

The league announced Tuesday that seven games will be aired on the ESPN family of networks in 2013.

Aside from SDSU’s game against Nevada, ESPN will broadcast three other Friday night matchups: Air Force at Boise State (Sept. 13), Boise State at Fresno State (Sept. 20) and Utah State at San Jose State (Sept. 27).

Air Force’s Nov. 8 contest at New Mexico and UNLV’s Thursday, Nov. 21 matchup at Air Force are both slated for ESPNU, while ESPN2 will broadcast San Jose State’s Nov. 22 visit to Navy.

According to SDSU Associate Athletic Director of Media Relations Mike May, the ESPN TV schedule released Tuesday was only for non-Saturday games. ESPN and CBS have yet to release news of which Mountain West Saturday games they've decided to televise, and that schedule should be forthcoming. So there's a chance that SDSU could get more of its games on national television.